Shirley Valentine, Teatr Polonia

A story of suffocating everyday life and dreams that never disappeared. Shirley speaks to the kitchen wall, but in truth she is speaking to herself — the woman she once was and longs to become again.

On February 10, 2019, Aula Artis in Poznań staged a performance based on Willy Russell’s play, translated into Polish by Małgorzata Semil. The production tells the story of Shirley — a middle-aged woman who has long been confined to the role of wife, mother, and housekeeper. Her days are predictable, her voice unheard, her needs postponed indefinitely. Until one day, an opportunity arises: a trip to Greece, which may become not only a holiday but the beginning of a new life. Shirley packs her suitcase, leaves her husband with dinner in the freezer, and sets out on a journey — into the world and into herself.

The play is light and humorous, yet beneath the surface lies a bitter truth about unfulfillment, courage, and the maturity required for change. It is a monodrama that can amuse, move, and inspire reflection — not only in women who have ever spoken to the wall.